Shibusawa; or, The passing of old JapanAdams, I. William
History
Shibusawa; or, The passing of old Japan
Adams, I. William
Japan -- History -- To 1868 -- Fiction
She lost no time in reaching Shibusawa, nor he in accepting the
responsibilities; and while it may have taken him longer than
Tetsutaisho to mobilise his forces the distance was short and, once on
the ground, his defences were more quickly intrenched. True, his force
at hand numbered less than one to every ten of the antagonists', but
they were trained to the use of a more deadly weapon. Shibusawa had
learned while abroad of the utility of powder and shot, and from the day
of his accession had drilled his men in the use of modern arms. He had
thrown away the sword and spear, substituting the rifle and bayonet.
Close-fitting breeches replaced the loose and cumbersome garments of the
soldiery, and his men had been recruited from the masses. They were well
fed and enthusiastic, while their steady nerves and acute sight enabled
them to fire rapidly and accurately. Nor had he equipped solely with
infantry, but laid in a supply of light artillery--the best of modern
make--and this, as he soon discovered, stood him well in hand.
Upon his arrival at Kyoto, Shibusawa learned from news conveyed by
runners that owing to Tetsutaisho's rapid approach he did not have time
to move his army as far as Osaka, the intended place of resistance;
therefore he selected Fushima, a walled suburb of the capital proper, as
being the most available place to make a stand and throw up temporary
defences.
Here he took possession of the outer gates, through which the enemy must
pass on their march along the Tokaido[22] toward the palace in the city
above. Seizing upon a long, sloping hillside that lay just inside the
great gate, Shibusawa scattered his infantry throughout its length from
the wall below to the hilltop at the bend above; placing them in hollow
squares the better to pick and fell the advancing swordsmen as they
clambered upon the walls, or to fire upon the straggling spearsmen who
chanced to escape the artillery and gain the gates. The artillery had
been intrenched also on the hillside, sweeping at a convenient range
either the gate or the Tokaido; still a small reserve was held behind
all, out of sight and within easy reach.
All in all Shibusawa could have found no more advantageous place to pit
a modern army against a large force of samurai. Both he and his men
realised his superior position, and it gave them confidence in their
ability to cope with Tetsutaisho's overwhelming numbers. They had no
time to wait, though they were fully prepared when the charge began.
The infantry stood hidden behind the great wall which crossed the
samurai's line of march, and the artillery lay low behind their own
breastworks. Only Shibusawa and his small staff stood in the open
above--they were in no danger--and with field-glass and time-piece
carefully watched and noted the last proud march of the heart and soul
of feudal Japan. He could not help admiring them; and a feeling of
sadness crept over him as he measured their helpless destruction.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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